As Founding Chair of Stormwater 2030, it is with immense pride that I present our first Annual Report. Stormwater 2030 was established with a singular, ambitious goal: to forge a new path for stormwater management in New South Wales. We all, as industry insiders, share the deep conviction that the current performance of our sector is simply not at the level it needs to be.
Driven by the vision of achieving world-class beaches, harbours, and rivers, Stormwater 2030 has swiftly moved from identifying systemic industry issues to implementing concrete initiatives and fostering crucial collaborations.
The 2021 Stormwater NSW White Paper, “Blue-Green Stormwater Management in NSW: Examination of Challenges and Pathways Forward,” rightly identified many of the critical issues facing the sector. While offering a detailed analysis, the paper also highlighted the difficulty of finding tangible, actionable solutions. It categorised key challenges into six main areas: policy, funding, capacity building, collaborations, planning and management deficiencies, and leadership.
We began this past year with an approach of humility, believing that rather than dictating the problems, we should listen and adapt. Our initial approach was to ensure broad input by engaging widely across all groups – not just key stakeholders – to understand the issues being faced and adjust our approach accordingly. However, as our conversations deepened and expanded, a consistent theme emerged: everyone understood the issues, and what they truly desired were solutions. This profound realisation guided our strategic direction throughout the year.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the numerous politicians, CEOs, and other advisors who generously offered their insights and guidance on how to proceed. In particular, I wish to thank Mark Coure MP, Natalie Ward MLC, and Scott Farlow MLC for their invaluable insights.
This past year has been one of significant performance and achievements, marked by both successes and challenges that we have diligently worked to overcome. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the mission of Stormwater 2030, and I am optimistic about the strategic direction we have set for the coming year.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks go to Andrew Thomas my Deputy Chair and Colan Chin our Executive Director for their unwavering support and dedication. Please feel free to read our Annual Report and reach out to the Board.
David Nixon, Founding Chair
